Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Visiting Cosanti...

On a prior trip to Arizona I visited Arcosanti and absolutely loved it. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, Arcosanti is "an urban laboratory focused on innovative design, community, and environmental accountability," an experimental community. Because of that visit I made sure Andrew and I stopped by Cosanti when we were in Phoenix last June. Cosanti is an outdoor studio and gallery, a "sister" site. While Arcosanti is an hour north of Phoenix Cosanti is right in Paradise Valley; part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, and wealthiest municipality in Arizona (think McMansions with vast green lawns, quite the stark contrast to what you'll see here).

From their website: "Cosanti is the vision of Paolo Soleri brought to life. The word Cosanti is the combination of Italian words cosa (“things”) and anti (“against”), thus describing the minimalistic and sustainable vision for Soleri’s arcological communities...Cosanti is the headquarters, foundry, studio, and gallery for Paolo Soleri Bronze & Ceramic Windbells & Sculptures. Cosanti has been the headquarters for this nonprofit educational organization dedicated to architectural research."

Maybe because it was late on a very hot afternoon but the place was deserted.
Yes, this structure really captured my imagination.

It felt a little like we were trespassing, since there was no one about.

The same construction methods were used here as at Arcosanti (read more about that here), but the spirit of the place just wasn't as uplifting.

Not that it wasn't amazing, it was.

It just didn't feel as vibrant, I'm sure it was the lack of people.

Of course their signature bells were everywhere.

Through those doors is the shop.

There were scarves and jewelry as well as bells.

And more interesting architecture.

Of course there was an employee manning the shop, she was delightful to chat with. I'd still recommend a visit, but try to get up to Arcosanti if you can.

Weather Diary, Jan 28: Hi 53, Low 35/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

18 comments:

  1. Sorry that you didn't find this sister version as uplifting as Arcosanti. It looks way cool and almost Gaudi-esque in some ways. You visit the coolest places. I suppose I would too if it didn't require leaving the couch.

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    1. I can't imagine that you actually spend much time on your couch, you're far too busy for that.

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  2. I read the original 2016 post from the Arcosanti visit, then this one to Cosanti. Both places make me want to get more creative in my own life. Yes, communal living isn't for everyone, the place may seems a little run down, minimal, work-in-progress, but the creative energy that feeds the souls living there make it so worth it.
    The gift shop looks like the insides of a prehistoric skeleton.

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  3. You do get around. I am so glad that you share so many photos and your knowledge about these places. I can travel vicariously.

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    1. No airlines hassles that way! Glad you enjoy coming along.

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  4. Cool architecture - reminds me a bit of Earthships in their eco-design.

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    1. I had to Google Earthships...wow! Those are fantastic.

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  5. If the sister site influences the mind-set of Phoenix locals with respect to environmental accountability, it's providing a valuable service.

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    1. OMG yes. We were just blown away by the ostentatious wealth on display in the form of wasted resources.

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  6. Unfortunately his daughter has accused him of sexual abuse

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  7. We have an architect friend who worked at Arcosanti as a young man. And we have a couple of bells outside the back door. The sound of them lets me know if it is windy out and how much. Your post reminds me that I've always wanted to get another and bigger bell. They are so beautiful.

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    1. They are so beautiful, and each one so unique.

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  8. Sort of looks like prehistoric cave dwellers meets modern man.

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  9. Lovely, but your photos truly conveyed that eerie sense of quiet - sort of post-Pompeiian. Heading over to read about Arcosanti now...

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  10. Like Linda, I have an architect friend who worked with Solieri one summer long ago...fascinating stuff.
    rickii

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